Lemon Crinkle Cookies
The January blues got you down? Craving sunshine and fresh blooms but snowdrifts are still piled high? Let these vibrant Lemon Crinkle Cookies be your sunshine on a spoon! Each bite bursts with a zesty kiss of lemon, chasing away winter’s chill and ushering in the promise of spring.
There’s something about the golden hue of these crinkled gems, studded with powdered sugar crystals like tiny dewdrops on a blade of grass, that simply screams warmer days. They’re like little rays of sunshine you can hold in your hand, and baking them fills my kitchen with an aroma that transports me straight to a lemon grove basking in the Mediterranean sun.
So preheat your oven, stir up this simple dough, and let the intoxicating scent of citrus whisk you away. With each crackle and melt-in-your-mouth bite, these cookies are a sweet reminder that spring is just around the corner, waiting to paint the world in vibrant hues. Let’s bake joy into this month, cookie by delicious cookie!
Questions I get asked about this recipe:
Q: My cookies didn’t spread and crack as much as expected. What went wrong?
A: Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps the cookies spread and crinkle. Also, make sure you roll the dough balls in enough powdered sugar for a thick coating.
Q: My cookies turned out too dry. Did I do something wrong?
A: Overbaking can dry out the cookies. Aim for 10-12 minutes, and remember they should still be slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Q: Can I freeze the cookies?
A: Absolutely! Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
What you need to make the cookies:
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (from 1-2 lemons)
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
¼ cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2⅓ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup (98g) powdered sugar
How to make the cookies:
Instructions:
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prep the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, lemon zest, and salt. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers for extra lemony flavor.
Combine the wet ingredients: Whisk in the melted butter, eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Add the flour: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, folding until just combined (don’t overmix!).
Chill the dough (optional): Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the cookies hold their shape during baking, but it’s not essential if you’re short on time.
Form and coat the cookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Roll each ball in the powdered sugar, coating it completely.
Bake and cool: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re lightly golden brown around the edges and still slightly soft in the center. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
For a more intense lemon flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest.
Don’t overbake the cookies! They should be slightly undercooked for that classic chewy texture.
Serve your cookies warm with a glass of milk for a delightful treat.
This recipe yields about 24-30 cookies depending on their size. Enjoy these easy and delicious Lemon Crinkle Cookies!
Bonus tip: If you want to get fancy, add a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies for an extra burst of sweetness and elegance.
Printable recipe:
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Chase away winter's chill with these sunshine-in-a-cookie Lemon Crinkle gems! Bursting with citrusy zest and dusted with sparkling sugar, they're a reminder that spring's around the corner, waiting to paint the world in vibrant hues. Bake this simple joy-in-a-bite recipe and let the intoxicating lemon aroma whisk you away to sun-drenched meadows. Each crackle and melt-in-your-mouth bite is a testament that sweeter days are just ahead. So preheat your oven, gather your sunshine ingredients, and bake a batch of happiness, one delicious cookie at a time!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (from 1-2 lemons)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2⅓ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup (98g) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prep the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, lemon zest, and salt. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers for extra lemony flavor.
- Combine the wet ingredients: Whisk in the melted butter, eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the flour: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, folding until just combined (don't overmix!).
- Chill the dough (optional): Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the cookies hold their shape during baking, but it's not essential if you're short on time.
- Form and coat the cookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Roll each ball in the powdered sugar, coating it completely.
- Bake and cool: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until they're lightly golden brown around the edges and still slightly soft in the center. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a more intense lemon flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest.
- Don't overbake the cookies! They should be slightly undercooked for that classic chewy texture.
- Serve your cookies warm with a glass of milk for a delightful treat.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on your social media! I would love for more people to try this delicious and easy-to-make recipe. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you! Shhh… Join our secret foodie group on Facebook
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